Western cyclone., 1887-05-19
THE MAY CROP REPORT.
DECLINE OF THE AVERAGE IN
MOST STATES.
The Season More Advanced than Usual
Illinois Crops Above Average
Detailed Figures.

WASHINGTON, May 1.-THE report of the
Department Of Agriculture for May indicates
decline in the condition Of wheat of two
points since April |, the general average for
the whole country being So, against 95 at the
same date in 1886, ~ il 1885, aud SO in 1884.
The changes in condition have not been uni
form throughout the winter wheat region,
some States showing an increase, the majority
a slight decline, and a few heavy falling Off
The States Of the Middle Atlantic coast
from Pennsylvania to North Carolina show
some improvement, seasOnable weather hav-
ing aided the plant in recovering more than
was expected from the injury done by the
trying season during February and March.
In New York and New Jersey the amount of
wlnter-kiling was not fully known on April
l, and this, with cold, unfavorable weather
during the month, has caused serious re-
duction Of condition. DrOuth has reduced
the average somewhat in the Eastern Gulf
States and has wrought very serious damage
in Texas and Arkansas, lowering the condi-
ton during the month 10 and ~ points re-
spectively Favorable temperature and sea-
Sonable rains have improved the prospect i'll
Tennessee, West Virginia and Kentucky, the
condition being considerably higher in these
States than it has averaged in May for the
past five years.
The most serious reduction Of the month Is
In Ohio, where there is falling Off OF eight
points since the 1St Of April, due to the con-
tinuing evil effects Of the alternate freezing
and thawing in the last report, and to the
cold, dry weather during the greater part of
April, which gave the injured plant little
chance for recuperation. favorable sea
son after April l, might have in great
measure repaired the Ill jury done up TO that
time but the continued unfavorable condi.
tions have wrought still further damage, and
small crop is inevitable. Michigan and In
diana show a slight decline, while in Illinois
and Missouri there is a gain of one point.
Unfavorable weather in Kansas and Califor-
MIA has caused a slight falling off, while in
Oregon the prospect has advanced, it being
the only State in which condition reaches
! 100
! The averages OF condition by States are
New York, 86; Pennsylvania, 72; Maryland,
| 81; Virginia, 80; North Carolina, 30; Texas,
! 60; Arkansas. 9S; Tennessee, SO; West Vir-
ginia, SO: Kentucky, 95; Ohio. II; Michigan,
! co. Indiana, 81; Illinois, 83: Missouri, 90;
! Kansas, 81; Califolnia, 50; Oregon, 100
Rye has suffered from the same conditions
which has injuriOusly affected wheat, but on
account Of its bardier nature, the general
average Is considerably higher, standing at
! 9O8 against 93.0 on April l and 857 at the
same date in 1886 Tie condition Of barley
! is low, the average being SIS against 96.7 In
| May, 1886, and 81 in 1885.
The season has been more generally ad-
vanced in all parts of the country than usual,
| spring plowing being seriously behind only
on the Atlantic coast south to Pennsylvania
and ON the Pacific slope. In these sections it
has been delayed by cold and excess OF
moisture Elsewhere the work is ahead of
an average year, the season, especially dur
ing April, having been generally favorable,
with the temperature above the normal and
the rainfall at a minimum. The proportion
already done on May is estimated at 50 per
cent. of the whole, while the amount usually
completed at that date is about 76 per cent
The proportion Of cotton already planted
amounts to more than fOur-fifthS the pro
posed area, and is slightly greater than at
the same date in any of the preceding five
wears, but is a little less than the proportion
returned by the correspondents as the aver
age planting at that date The proportions
by States are: North Carolina, 20; South
Carolina, so; Georgia. S4; Florida, 96; Ala
bama, IS; Mississippi 54 Louisiana, S3
Texas. 50; Arkansas, so; Tennessee, SO.
There is some complaint of slow germina
ton and poor stand on account Of droutt
at the time of planting III some sections, but
with favorable weather replanting is rapidly
I oil